Ok, last I heard Mie, Mind of Asian’s guitarist, left the band, but they have live show updates posted. I’m not sure if they found a new guitarist or if Mie came back. Either way, I will not pass up this chance to see my favorite thrashcore/powerviolence band!

Tokyo-based post-rockers LITE’s new 5 song mini album will be released on July 7th in Japan (Tanabata, for those who don’t know) and will cost ￥1,600 (tax included). Along with their new mini album, LITE is playing two shows this month, one at Fandango in Juso (Osaka) and another show at Liquidroom in Ebisu (Tokyo).

Hey! I’m still alive and I’m still writing this blog. I’ve got some good news for you all. I’m heading back to Japan in a few days and I hope that will allow me to interview up and coming bands and discover new acts to report to you. Right now I have dates forキノコホテル/kinocohotel from Tokyo. These four hot chicks play a unique blend of genres that is equal parts 60s psychedelic and 60s garage rock. I’m personally excited to go see them and I am definitely going to their January 12th show. Their first album, entitled マリアンヌの憂鬱, will be released on February 3rd, so get yourself a copy and support these girls!

highered-girl is a boy-girl duo from Tokyo that makes some pretty sweet indie rock. No, I hate using that term. These kids just rock. That’s all I’m going to say besides that it would benefit you to go see them. On the 22nd, they are playing with toddle (ex-Number Girl) and EMILE at Unique Rock 03.

Tokyo’s Metalchicks is playing a show in Koenji next months and you should be there.

According to their myspace, they’re planning on releasing a new album some time soon. This spring, to be exact. After the way St. Wonder left me feeling after listening to it the first time, I’m awaiting their new release with bated breath.

Oh and let’s not mentioned how I dropped the ball on not announcing Metalchicks playing on the 18th for Record Store Day. FUUUUUUU–

True story: I was supposed to go to RaidWorld last year until I got bedridden with food poisoning. Salmonella, to be exact. Let that be a lesson to you all to not eat raw chicken at an izakaya, no matter how good your Japanese friends tell you it is.

Tokyo’s powerviolence quartet, Vivisick, is playing a few shows after their tour with Fuck On The Beach in Brazil. They will be playing with Fuck On The Beach and Slight Slappers on the 22nd at Earthdom.

Tokyo’s Fuck On The Beachnot only has one of the best band names, they are also one of Tokyo’s best powerviolence bands. On their official homepage they have announced that they will be touring Brazil with fellow thrashers, Vivisick.

101A is an experimental 3-piece band from Toyko and the only way I can describe their sound is something that takes its influence from post-rock and shoegaze but goes from there to craft their own distinct sound.

Perhaps the biggest announcement is that they will be playing at Kodama ’09 in Nagano this summer. Kodama is a rather large outdoor 2-day indie festival held in Nagano representing a lot of genres. Tickets are ￥4,000. Parking is ￥2,000, but apparently to set up camp is free. 101A will be playing on the first day of the event which is June 6th.